ENLARGEMENT OF AREA

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1933, Page 9

ENLARGEMENT OF AREA

CONNETT ESTATE PURCHASE ■ T- 1- 'VCONTROL OF THE AIRPORT. LEGISLATIVE ENACTMENT. Just before he left New Zealand on his return flight to Sydney in March Sir Charles Kingsford Smith met representatives of the New Plymouth Borough ’■ Council for the purpose of advocating the purchase of the remainder of the Connett estate for the development of the New Plymouth aerodrome. At the time the New Plymouth Aero Club owned 60 acres of land, and though he considered the port as it was then was adequate, Sir Charles said that the addition of the 117 acres would make the airport one of the finest in New Zealand, a suitable place for all types of machines, and a worthy holder of the highest classification it is possible for Wing-Com-mander T. M. Wilkes, Director of Air Services, to award. • So eloquently did Sir Charles plead the case that recently, in Parliament, the New Plymouth Airport Bill was passed, with many complimentary references to its draughtsmanship. The Bill allows the New Plymouth Aero Club to hand over its 60 acres to the New Plymouth Borough Council, and for the establishment of an Airport-Board. The board is to consist of seven members, three to be appointed .by the . Aero Club, three by the Borough Council and one, a local resident, by the Director of Civil Aviation or the Governor-General. In the event of the board being dissolved the corporation will assume its powers, and provision has been made for the payment of £3500 to the Aero Club should its rights and privileges at the aerodrome be cancelled. In every way provision has been made for all contingencies. As compensation for the handing over of the 60 acres the Aero Club retains perpetual flying rights over the whole area,, together with other privileges for the use; of . improvements to’ be made .by the Airport Board/ '. &